Celtics-76ers Preview

By DAN GELSTON
Posted May 22 2012 7:28PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Before coach Doug Collins had his Philadelphia 76ers look ahead to Game 6, he had them rewind the tape to a dusty Game 7.

He slipped in a highlight video of Sixers vs. Celtics, Game 7, 1982 Eastern Conference finals. Julius Erving and Larry Bird. Andrew Toney and Maurice Cheeks. Robert Parish and Kevin McHale.

The Sixers blew a 3-1 lead in that series and were forced to win Game 7 on the road to reach the finals - which they did.

The Sixers trail this season's East semifinals 3-2 entering Wednesday's Game 6 in Philadelphia. But Collins wanted to push the point that winning another Game 7 on the road can be done.

But first?

Game 6.

Collins received some advice from former and current coaches among his tight group of friends after the Celtics ran away late in a 101-85 Game 5 victory. The supportive messages all had the same theme:

"How bad do you want to go back for a Game 7," Collins said Tuesday, "when the odds say you're not going to win that."

So, the coach ordered a history lesson before practice and showed the Sixers how winning Game 7 in Boston can be done.

"We have that same opportunity," Collins said. "Let's give ourselves that chance. Let's get ourselves back to Boston with a Game 7 and see what we can do. Sometimes, I think it's good to go back and let guys see the history of the franchise with Boston and Philly."

The Sixers would love to add their own improbable victories to this longtime rivalry and knock out the Celtics. And this is in their favor: No team has won consecutive games in this series.

But wait. There's more. Philadelphia is 4-0 this postseason in games following a loss. The Sixers won Game 2 and Game 6 in the first round against top-seeded Chicago, and Game 2 and Game 4 vs. Boston.

All those statistics from this postseason - and the big wins from 30 years ago - will mean little, though, once the ball is tipped Wednesday.

"We're on the edge right now," Sixers forward Elton Brand said. "There's no comfortable feelings anywhere around here."

With good reason. Twice this series, the Celtics have routed the Sixers, including a dominant end to Game 5 that has them in control and a win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Sixers led by six points early in the third quarter before Boston scored 14 of the next 16. The Celtics closed the third with a 10-2 run over the final 3 minutes, and outscored the Sixers, 28-16, in the frame. The Celtics also scored 16 of the first 22 in the fourth quarter to put it away.

"Once we were able to run and get some easy baskets, just open it up," Boston's Paul Pierce said, "we fed off the crowd and never looked back."

The Celtics did not practice Tuesday.

Pierce had 16 points, and was a perfect 9 for 9 from the free throw line. Brandon Bass scored 18 in the third as part of a career playoff-high 27. And Kevin Garnett added 20 points, while Rajon Rondo had 13 points and 14 assists for the Celtics.

"Now, when they say, `The Big Three,' we all know they mean Rondo," 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala said.

Rondo, in fact, has been a thorn in the Sixers all series. He's been the leader coach Doc Rivers wanted, often barking at his teammates and demanding they get into the right spots. He finds players in the right position where they don't have to do much after they catch the ball: Shoot or dunk.

"I thought the second half was one of the best games he's had this year for us," Rivers said. "I thought it was more than just the basketball part of it. I thought his will, his leadership, we needed it. And he gave it to us."

The Sixers also got stuck watching a more ghastly Celtics-76ers video before practice. They reviewed and relived the nasty collapse that has them a loss away from ending this unlikely run to the second round.

Sixers guard Jrue Holiday says he looks at Game 6 as, "kind of like the end of the world." Collins won't get that dramatic. He refuses to talk about the win-or-else implications of Game 6.

"I don't know why you would talk about an elimination game," Collins said. "I just say, `Let's win Game 6.' Elimination game to me is negative."

Negative or not, this is the first postseason game in which the Sixers are facing elimination.

"It's not really doom and gloom," Iguodala said. "You get in a situation like this, you get thoughts creeping in your mind it could be over in a day or two. Our guys are talking about tomorrow and what we've got to do to try and win that game."

Also Tuesday, the Sixers shrugged off Garnett's comment that Philly fans are the "fair-weather" kind.

"Maybe he needs something to get him pumped up," Brand said. "I don't know."

Maybe Brand is right. After all, Garnett and Co. blew an 18-point lead in front of that "fair-weather" crew the last time they played there.

76ers top Celtics to force Game 7 in East semis

By DAN GELSTON
Posted May 24 2012 6:01AM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) In the most unpredictable of playoff series, Rajon Rondo was the one consistent playmaker for Boston.

Until Game 6.

Rondo had his quietest game of the second round and the Celtics paid with an ineffective shooting night that left them playing catch-up against rugged and determined Philadelphia. The Celtics could never take that clutch late lead and now find themselves trying to avoid a monumental upset.

Jrue Holiday scored 20 points, and Elton Brand had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to an 82-75 victory over the Celtics on Wednesday night that tied the Eastern Conference semifinals.Neither team has played well enough to seize control of the series by winning consecutive games. But the Sixers were good enough to win Game 6, improving to 5-0 this postseason in games following a loss. Game 7 is Saturday in Boston.

"It's nice to have it at home, but we've got to get it still," coach Doc Rivers said.

Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rondo could be playing their last game together Saturday night if they can't find a way to hang onto the ball and put away a Sixers team that won't quit.

Boston has learned three times already how difficult that can be.

The fun for the Sixers started when former 76ers All-Star Allen Iverson earned a roaring standing ovation when he presented the game ball.

It ended with the song, "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," blasting through the arena.

"I want more," 76ers coach Doug Collins said. "We're going to get greedy. We want more."

The Celtics posted ugly numbers across the board: Blame the loss on the 33 percent shooting, the 17 turnovers or the 3 for 14 3-point shooting. Either way, there's enough to go around. Pierce had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Garnett had 20 points and 11 boards.

Rondo had tortured the Sixers over the first five games, but was limited to nine points (4 for 14 shooting) and six assists.

He'll need to return to form at home for the Celtics to have a chance at avoiding the upset.

"I thought he was trying to orchestrate the offense and trying to go," Rivers said. "He probably got caught in the middle. It happens, but he'll be better."

The Sixers again failed to put up the sparkling numbers in the box score usually required for a deep postseason run. They missed 8 of 9 3-pointers, shot a woeful 17 of 28 from the free throw line and had 12 turnovers.

But when the Sixers really needed that game-changing basket, there was Evan Turner twisting and fighting through defenders down the lane. When the Sixers needed a stop, there was Brand, ripping a rebound away from Boston, even with painful neck and shoulder injuries that keep him awake at night.

"When you get out there, you don't feel much," Brand said. "You've got the adrenaline flowing. You're banging and fighting. That's why Coach has confidence in me to play 34 minutes."

The Sixers wrote "Huddle Up and Fight" on their locker room chalkboard. They did just that and are now one win from reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2001.

Iverson was the MVP of that run.

Maybe a little of that ol' A.I. magic rubbed off in Game 6.

Unlike Game 5, when the Sixers collapsed in the third quarter and blew a lead, they suddenly found a groove in front of 20,403 fans.

The Sixers started hitting free throws, kept turnovers to a minimum (two), and fed the ball to a starting lineup that had been largely outproduced by a fantastic bench. Turner was fouled on a go-ahead layup but missed from the line. That made the Sixers 5 of 13 while the Celtics were 14 for 14.

Iguodala split two defenders and threw down a ferocious dunk over Pierce to draw the foul. He made his first free throw after missing his first four and the Sixers led by five.

Pierce led the parade to the line for the Boston. He made his first 11 attempts for a Celtics team that was 17 for 17 through three quarters. The Celtics made only 19 field goals through three.

"We've got to move the ball and continue to play the defense that we've been playing," Pierce said.

The Sixers also couldn't find their way from the 3-point line and missed their first six attempts until Iguodala nailed one for a 58-52 lead.

Garnett caught some heat after calling Philly fans "fair weather" after Game 5 in Boston.

Well, the forecast called for thunderous cheers after Iguodala buried his 3. That helped the Sixers take a 60-56 lead into the fourth and put them 12 minutes away from Game 7.

This time, the Sixers weren't blowing a lead.

Turner, who never met a clutch attempt he didn't like, went right-to-left on a drive down the lane for a nine-point lead. The 6-foot-4 Holiday brushed off the 4-inch difference and went high over Garnett for a one-handed bucket and an 11-point lead.

"Someone else was talking bad about our fans, so it was good to get this victory for them," Brand said.

While the Sixers swapped shot makers on almost every possession, the Celtics never found that third and fourth option behind Pierce and Garnett.

"We never really established Kevin," Rivers said. "Even though Kevin had points, it wasn't the type of points we needed."

Iguodala and Turner scored 12 points. Lou Williams had 11 and the Sixers outscored Boston 42-16 in the paint.

"I just want our guys to play with no fear," Collins said. Collins had the Sixers watch a highlight video from Game 7 of the 1982 Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday. The Sixers blew a 3-1 lead in that series and were forced to win Game 7 at Boston to reach the finals - which they did.

Thirty years later, the Sixers get to try again.

Notes: Iverson cupped his hand to his ear and received the loudest ovation of the night. He watched the game from a suite and his eyes watered up when he was shown later in the game on the big screen as the crowd, thousands wearing a No. 3 jersey, went wild and chanted, "MVP!" Iverson posted on Twitter, "You can always come home again!!!" ... Celtics assistant coach Tyronn Lue was famously stepped over by Iverson in the 2001 NBA finals. ... Celtics G Avery Bradley (shoulder) sat out. Rivers said Bradley and Allen are both considered day to day. ... Collins was stunned Iguodala was left off the NBA's all-defensive squad. Collins said Iguodala should have been "no worse than a second-team defender." ... Mickael Pietrus hit the only 3 of the half for either team at the buzzer to send the Celtics into the break ahead 36-33.

Notebook: 76ers 82, Celtics 75

Posted Wednesday May 23, 2012 11:56PM

By Andy Jasner, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: The Philadelphia 76ers forced a Game 7 on Saturday following an 82-75 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 on Wednesday. Jrue Holiday scored 20 points, including two huge free throws with 31.4 seconds remaining, Elton Brand added 13 points and the Sixers improved to 5-0 this postseason following a loss. Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner had 12 each while Lou Williams contributed 11 in the balanced effort. Game 7 will be Saturday in Boston.

Paul Pierce paced the Celtics with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 11 rebounds. No other Boston player reached double figures. Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo had nine each.

QUOTABLE: "We believe we can win. It might be ugly, but if that's what it takes, then we'll do what it takes to get it done."
-- Andre Iguodala.

THE STAT: The Sixers were 1-for-9 from beyond the arc. After missing their first six, Iguodala finally connected with 1:21 left in the third.

TURNING POINT: The Sixers held a four-point lead after the third quarter but didn't let up and extended their advantage to 11 on a runner by Williams with 7:15 left. It was enough of a cushion to protect a late comeback by the Celtics.

HOT: Brand was 5-for-9 while Spencer Hawes was 4-for-6 for the Sixers.

NOT: Rondo missed 10 of his 14 shots while Allen was 4-for-11.

QUOTABLE II: "We have to do a better job offensively. I thought we had a lot of empty possessions."
-- Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Turner played a solid all-around game with 12 points, nine rebounds -- all defensive -- and four assists.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Allen Iverson presented the game ball before Game 6 and received a deafening standing ovation from the appreciative crowd at the Wells Fargo Center. Iverson, who led the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001, remains one of the most popular players in franchise history. Sixers legend Julius Erving was also in attendance along with LeSean McCoy and Todd Herremans of the Philadelphia Eagles as well the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team.

QUOTABLE III: "We just wanted to keep in the attack mode. I didn't want to start shooting jump shots against that team."
-- Sixers coach Doug Collins.

GOOD MOVE: The Sixers did a great job getting the ball out of Rondo's hands. Rondo had six assists and four turnovers and was never really a major factor for the first time in this series.

BAD MOVE: Pierce was 13-for-13 from the free throw line and the Celtics stopped going to him for stretches. He's their marquee playoff performer and probably could have had more opportunities in the fourth.

QUOTABLE IV: "When you get out there, you don't feel much. You get that adrenaline flowing."
-- Elton Brand.

ROOKIE WATCH: Boston guard E'Twaun Moore and center Greg Stiemsma were both scoreless in brief stints. For the Sixers, Lavoy Allen had three points and three rebounds while Nikola Vucevic wasn't inserted into the game.

NOTABLE: The Celtics shot 33.3 percent from the floor after hitting 48.8 percent over the previous three games. It's the lowest field goal percentage for the Celtics in a playoff game since connecting on 31.8 percent at Detroit in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals. ... The Celtics had 14 assists and 17 turnovers. In the first five games of the series, Boston averaged 24.4 assists against 13.6 turnovers. ... The Sixers outscored Boston 42-16 in points in the paint. The Celtics were averaging 40 points in the paint over the three previous games. ... Holiday reached the 20-point mark for the third time in the playoffs. The Sixers are 3-0 when that happens. ...The Sixers are 5-2 when scoring fewer than 90 points in the playoffs. In the regular season, they were 2-18. ... There were six lead changes and 11 ties in the game. ... The Sixers missed nine straight field goals in the second.

NEXT: Game 7 @ Boston, Saturday, either 5 p.m. ET or 8 p.m. ET.

• Celtics: Bradley, Johnson
• 76ers: Brackins

• Celtics: --
• 76ers: --

• Lead Changes: 6
• Times Tied: 11

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #17 Joe Crawford, #19 James Capers, #10 Ron Garretson
• Attendance: 20403
• Duration: 2:29